Another outbreak of violence in Sudan has triggered a new wave of refugees. Chad, which already hosts more than 400,000 Sudanese in 13 camps, is once again under pressure that is hard to absorb. The conflict sets off geopolitical alerts, but what about the humanitarian ones?

On World Water Day, we collaborated with the magazine 5W and presented Agua, its eighth issue, a refreshing example of pragmatic realism. The well-narrated facts speak for themselves and raise collective awareness. The thoroughness, depth, and accuracy of the 18 reports on water characterize an enriching journalism that will help us to continue advancing on the difficult road ahead.

On World Water Day, the UN calls for accelerating the progress toward achieving water and sanitation for all. The road to SDG 6 has become challenging: we must complete a fourfold increase in speed. But, with cooperation, we can overcome anything. Our experience confirms it: alone, we will not succeed; if we unite, obstacles become opportunities.

The search for solutions to the pollution caused by mercury used in artisanal gold mining reveals how difficult it is to deal with a semi-clandestine activity widespread in many developing countries, often generating an informal economy. Mercury causes death and keeps more than one million people worldwide chronically and silently ill. Developing global ethics for the gold market is essential to end dumping and provide justice for miners.

A new project in Sierra Leone shows us the importance of ensuring water and sanitation in schools to reverse the impoverishment of neglected rural areas. Passing on to students the ability to manage the facilities turns them into educational agents in their communities, ensures sustainability, and gives them an empowered future.

In this turbulent 2022, we have helped people displaced by war and improved the lives of farmers and schoolchildren. The rights of women and children to access water, sanitation, and hygiene have remained our main focus. We have participated in major international debates on climate and water, promoting dialogue and awareness. But it is not enough; we must continue to move forward to turn water and sanitation from a problem into a solution. 

Last May, we completed a well construction project at the Ngubo school in the Lupane district, one of the poorest in Zimbabwe. The benefits for students and their families show how improved access to water changes lives: it provides health and dignity, boosts the educational process, and generates knowledge to adapt to the climate crisis and fight against poverty.

Violence and the climate crisis have already displaced 100 million people worldwide. The meeting "Sanitation in Conflict," which we organized with World Vision, UNICEF, and UNHCR on World Toilet Day, revealed little-known aspects of a humanitarian crisis that is spreading and that, in many cases, we tend to forget.